\Ac`co*lade"\ (#; 277), n. [F. accolade, It. accolata,
fr. accollare to embrace; L. ad + collum neck.]
1. A ceremony formerly used in conferring knighthood,
consisting am embrace, and a slight blow on the shoulders
with the flat blade of a sword.
2. (Mus.) A brace used to join two or more staves.